Abstracts
Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the psychological health of healthcare workers (HCWs). Cross-sectional studies report suicidal ideation in this population during this period, but no longitudinal study has examined the evolution of these ideas over time.
Objectives: To assess the evolution of suicidal ideation of HCWs during the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic among Quebec (Canada) HCWs and to identify the risk factors involved.
Methods: A longitudinal study among Quebec (Canada) HCWs using ecological momentary assessment was conducted between May 8, 2020, and March 31, 2021 (corresponding to the second half of the first wave to the end of the second). Participants (n=865) answered weekly questions related to anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), suicidal ideation (PHQ-9 Q.9), exposure to COVID-19, exposure to COVID-19-related deaths, their infection status and that of their co-workers and loved ones, as well as the amount of time they spent consuming news related to COVID-19.
Results: Proportion of suicidal ideation increased from May to June 2020 (second half of the first wave) peaking at 18% before declining up to March 2021. Anxiety and depression symptoms severity increased those ideations as well as having a colleague confirmed positive to COVID-19. Social support does not appear to be a protective factor for suicidal ideation. Suicidal thoughts are associated with media consumption and appear to be mediated by the presence of clinical distress expressed as depressive or anxiety states.
Discussion and conclusion: Media consumption in a pandemic context is associated with anxiety and depression, the more severe states of which may express suicidal ideation. Without inferring causality relationship, it seems advisable for HCWs to limit their media exposure during a disaster such as a pandemic.
Keywords:
- healthcare workers,
- suicidal ideation,
- ecological momentary assessment,
- COVID-19,
- media exposure
Résumé
Introduction : La pandémie de COVID-19 a eu un impact sur la santé psychologique des travailleurs de la santé (TS). Des études transversales rapportent la présence d’idées suicidaires chez cette population pendant cette période, mais aucune étude longitudinale n’a examiné l’évolution de ces idées dans le temps.
Objectifs : Évaluer l’évolution des idées suicidaires des TS au cours des deux premières vagues de la pandémie de COVID-19 au Québec (Canada) et identifier les facteurs de risque impliqués.
Méthodes : Une étude longitudinale, utilisant l’évaluation écologique momentanée, a été menée entre le 8 mai 2020 et le 31 mars 2021 (correspondant à la période entre la moitié de la 1re vague à la fin de la seconde) auprès des TS québécois. Les participants (n=865) ont répondu de façon hebdomadaire à des questions relatives à l’anxiété (GAD-7), à la dépression (PHQ-9), aux idées suicidaires (PHQ-9 Q.9), à l’exposition à la COVID-19, à l’exposition aux décès liés à la COVID-19, à leur statut infectieux et à celui de leurs collègues et de leurs proches, ainsi qu’au temps passé à consommer des nouvelles liées à la COVID-19.
Résultats : La proportion d’idées suicidaires a augmenté de mai à juin 2020 (deuxième moitié de la première vague) atteignant un pic à 18% avant de diminuer par la suite jusqu’en mars 2021. La gravité des symptômes d’anxiété et de dépression était corrélée positivement avec les idéations suicidaires, tout comme le fait d’avoir un collègue infecté à la COVID-19. Le soutien social ne semble pas être un facteur protecteur des idées suicidaires. Les idées suicidaires sont corrélées à la consommation de médias et un effet médiateur est observé par la présence d’une détresse clinique exprimée par des états dépressifs ou anxieux.
Discussion et conclusion : La consommation de médias dans un contexte de pandémie est associée à de l’anxiété et à de la dépression, dont les états les plus graves peuvent exprimer des idées suicidaires. Sans inférer un lien de causalité, il semble recommandé aux travailleurs de la santé de limiter leur exposition aux médias lors d’une catastrophe telle qu’une pandémie.
Mots-clés :
- personnel de la santé,
- idéations suicidaires,
- évaluation écologique momentanée,
- COVID-19,
- exposition aux médias
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